Pubdate: Wed, 03 Apr 2002 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 MEDICAL MARIJUANA BOOSTERS ENCOURAGED Medical marijuana advocates think Victoria city hall has heard their message about the need for sick people to have access to pot. About 30 supporters of medical marijuana said they were encouraged Tuesday as they left a joint meeting of the Victoria Police Board and city council. Several councillors and police board members said they wanted more information about the federal legislation that allows physician-approved people to legally possess marijuana. But the law leaves the medically-approved people in a conundrum because it is still illegal for them to buy pot. The councillors and board members discussed having a Health Canada representative come to a meeting to explain some of the intricacies and seeming inconsistencies of the legislation. No date was set. Medical marijuana advocates said they believe that sharing their personal stories at a council meeting last week made all the difference. "We've got to keep humanizing this issue for people to understand," said Ted Smith, who faces six marijuana-related charges. While one arm of federal legislation allows approved people to have marijuana, the federal Criminal Code still makes possession illegal for most people. And the police have to follow the Criminal Code, said Victoria Police Chief Paul Battershill. At one point, it was suggested that police could essentially turn a blind eye to pot trafficking for medicinal purposes. "That's starting down a very, very slippery slope, when you tell the police, 'We do not want you to follow the law,'" Battershill said. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex